Archive for the ‘Brazilian Kombis’ category

I can’t stop watching this series. OK I’m biased, but the story is just as real and believable as the people are interesting an entertaining. Of course you want to find out what happens next week! It reminds me of old TV shows where the central character rides or drives into a new town each week with a subsequent cast of supporting characters. British Columbia is still something of the wild west, even so, trying to find a decent, safe, quiet, and free overnight parking spot can be a challenge. What luck as Ben and the Kombi Crew bump into a similar bay window bus and they end up camping together.

Amazing to think this awesome video series is produced from inside the Volkswagen van they travel in. The sheer amount or stamina and perseverance is incredible, previously in the series the engine was out multiple times. While others would have given up Ben did not. He accepts donations to the cause, but says that a portion of the proceeds goes to charity. If you’re not at liberty to take your kombi on an extended adventure this is the next best thing. Check out their Youtube channel.

If you’re into Volkswagen buses or epic trips, you might have come across Hasta Alaska A.K.A. Kombi Life which is operated by a fellow from Jersey in the Channel Islands. His name is Ben and not only has he been traveling from Chile to Alaska for the past 3 years in a rather unique 1992 Brazilian VW bus, but he’s also found a novel way to make it all the more interesting. Anyone can apply to join the “Kombi Crew” providing there is room. So people have come and gone along the way supplying only their company, food, gas money, and general help, which in some cases has led to engine rebuilds and a nice paint job. One of the most amazing things is the great production quality of the video series, and I mean everything, technically it’s awesome, the editing is superb, and the concise and candid narrative keeps you glued to the screen. Traveling and meeting new friends can have its pitfalls, and in this recent vlog Ben recounts bittersweet memories of Sharne the spirited Australian girl who he ended up falling in love with before she had to return home. They say work is the best tonic, in this case Ben says travel, and he’s right. He got back up on his proverbial horse (read Kombi) and rode on to new adventures. The current version of the Hasta Alaska team led by Ben last heard from in Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island, Canada.

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It’s been just over a year since Volkswagen Brasil stopped manufacturing the Kombi, but there are still many on the road. In fact, with ever increasing interest in the Type 2 people are going to be taking special care of the ones that remain. Today’s feature video comes from broadcaster Deutsche Welle in Germany. A nicely produced VW bus tribute from February 2014.

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A group of five Uruguayan soccer fans has taken to the road in a vintage Combi to cheer on their team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Named “La Combi Celeste” this is one cool fan van. They had the bus renovated with a blue and white combination in tribute to Uruguay’s flag. This is one of those wonderfully odd South American Volkswagen vans that features a real mix of bus styling from many different incarnations. From the front it looks like a late bay, from the rear mostly a slpitty. I’d love to have one of these! Here’s an article on the bus and its occupants put through Google translate. Follow them on Twitter! (The video is in Spanish, el vídeo está enSpanis)

I don’t think there has ever been so much fanfare for a vehicle ending production, not even the Beetle which deserves its accolades too. I believe this video was produced by Volkswagen Brasil as a tip of the hat to one of the most successful vehicles of all time. So I guess we must accept that the Volkswagen van will not be coming back any time soon, but far from being gone many are still being driven worldwide. Add to that an abundance of affordable parts and I think we’ll be seeing a lot of bullis, buses, and kombis for a long time.

Haven’t heard anything new about the faint possibility for the continuation of Kombi production. However, I did see a story that mentions slow sales for the Last Edition Kombi in Brazil, the run of 600 was doubled to 1200 to meet apparent demand. The high price tag for what is an economy vehicle means dealers still have some of the vans on their lots. If you want to work a deal with a salesman reports say you could get one for a little as USD $33,000, still that’s a lot more than the standard models sold for. In other news, Danbury Motor Caravans in England just sent out an email saying that they have received their final shipment of 99 Type 2 vans and that, “There is still a chance to buy one of these!!” Many are already sold. Today’s video was posted by Youtube user Ednéia Silva. Watch the first 12 minutes of this Brazilian TV program hosted by Joana Calmon, it features a very interesting retrospective on the Kombi. It’s in Portuguese, but you can try the caption setting for English subtitles which are not perfect but they get the point across.